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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Byrd, Angels handle M”s


Los Angeles' Vladimir Guerrrero reached base four times on Wednesday, including a home run in the first inning.
 (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)
Associated Press

SEATTLE — Paul Byrd struggles with most of the American League. The Seattle Mariners, however, are not a problem for him.

Byrd remained unbeaten against the Mariners, allowing just two runs in 6 2/3 innings as the Los Angeles Angels beat Seattle 5-2 Wednesday, extending their winning streak to four games.

“I needed that one for sanity purposes,” Byrd said. “I felt like some things started to go my way.”

In his previous outing, Byrd (2-3) let a 4-1 lead slip away in a 7-4 loss to Minnesota. Against Oakland on April 23, Byrd lasted just 4 2/3 innings.

But he’s figured out the Mariners. He improved to 5-0 lifetime against them, including 4-0 in Seattle. Both his wins this year have come against Seattle.

“It was a great effort by Paul. His pitches have been just a tick off,” Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. “Early on, he felt his groin was a little tight, but he stayed with it and made pitches the whole time he was in there. That was key.”

Vladimir Guerrero hit a two-run homer in the first inning, snapping an 0-for-9 slump, his longest of the year. Guerrero reached base four times, including a double off the left-field wall in the fifth.

Seattle lost its fifth straight and fell a season-high five games behind the Angels in the A.L. West. The Mariners’ 3-4-5 hitters — Adrian Beltre, Richie Sexson and Bret Boone — combined to go 4 for 35 in the series.

Byrd continued a positive trend for the Angels as starters have worked at least six innings in seven of their last eight games, going 6-2.

Byrd also got some luck.

Leading 4-2 in the bottom of the fourth, Seattle’s Jeremy Reed ripped a shot down the first base line. The Angels’ Darin Erstad caught the liner and doubled off Raul Ibanez at first base.

The pitch before, Reed had just pulled a ball foul down the right-field line.

Aaron Sele (2-3) lasted just 4 1/3 innings for Seattle, losing for the second time this year to the club he pitched for from 2002-04. Sele walked a season-high five, giving up four runs and six hits.

Seattle’s pitching staff gave up a season-high nine walks.

“The walks hurt me and giving up three hits in the third inning was really the downfall today,” Sele said. “I made too many pitches.”

Wilson’s season appears finished

Catcher Dan Wilson’s season appears to be finished after he suffered a knee injury in the Seattle Mariners’ game Wednesday at Safeco Field.

The popular 36-year-old catcher, who has said this may be his final season, tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee while running the bases in the seventh inning.

A magnetic resonance imaging exam on Wilson’s knee Wednesday night showed the ligament tear. He will be examined again today.

The Mariners called up catcher Wiki Gonzalez from Class AAA Tacoma.

Mariners promote Hansen

Dave Hansen is back in the majors after being called up by the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday. The Mariners also moved shortstop Pokey Reese from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day DL. He’s still hurting from soreness in his right shoulder.

Hansen, long considered one of baseball’s best pinch-hitters, played six games at Triple-A Tacoma and hit .300 with three RBIs.

Outfielder Shin-Soo Choo was optioned to Tacoma to make room for Hansen on the 25-man roster.